Applying for postgraduate study

Before you apply you should check you meet any entry requirements for your chosen postgraduate programme. You can then apply by following the relevant application procedure.

Applying for a doctorate

To apply for a doctoral programme you must complete and submit an online Application for Admission (AfA) so that we can evaluate your academic background and match your research interests with an appropriate supervisor.

Applying for other postgraduate programmes

Applying for non-doctoral programmes differs depending on whether you are applying as a new student, or are a returning student from a previous semester.

New students

If you have not been enrolled at The University of Auckland in previous years, you need to gain general admission to the University before being admitted to a programme. A supplementary application form may also be required.

Returning students

Students who have enrolled at the University in the semesters prior to beginning their postgraduate programme are considered as returning students. Returning students can apply to change their programme on Student Services Online. A supplementary application form may also be required.

Master of Engineering

Important information for students admitted ot the 180 point ME programme

Your offer for the 180 point Master of Engineering requires a minimum of 18 months (or three semesters) of full-time study. Your programme will consist of 60 points in taught courses and a 120 point research thesis.

Students usually have two options to choose from:

Option one:

First semester: 60 points of taught courses

Second semester: 60 point research thesis

Third semester: 60 point research thesis

Option Two:

First semester: 30 points of taught courses and 30 points of your research thesis

Second semester: 30 points of taught courses and 30 points of your research thesis

You must complete at least 30 points of taught courses by the end of your first semester of study, with a B average score (5/9 University of Auckland Grade Point Average) or better. If you do not meet this minimum GPA requirement, your ME programme will be terminated and you will not be allowed to continue study.

You must complete all 60 points of taught courses by the end of your second semester of study.

If you do not meet the GPA requirements, you will only be able to reassign your taught courses to the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering if you choose option one.

International students are recommended to choose option one.

You will also need to discuss and confirm your research topic and supervision with one of our academic staff before you can be admitted into the Master of Engineering. This information will be included in your offer letter.

Master of Engineering and Master of Operations Research

Research Portfolio

You will also need to discuss and confirm with an academic staff member regarding your research topic and supervision before you can be admitted into the Master of Engineering. This information has been included in your offer letter.

Entry requirements

Acceptance into a postgraduate programme at the Faculty of Engineering is normally based on academic merit, and is at the discretion of the Dean of Engineering.

Entry into a postgraduate diploma programme

Entry criteria for a postgraduate diploma will vary according to the subject in which you intend to complete this qualification.

As a general rule, you need to have completed a relevant undergraduate degree at a recognised tertiary institution, with passes in the specified prerequisite courses in your selected subject area.

Entry into a masters programme

Acceptance into a masters programme is at the discretion of the Dean of Engineering. As a general rule, you will need to have completed a relevant four-year bachelors degree such as a bachelors (honours) degree or a postgraduate diploma at a recognised institution, and to have obtained a better-than-average grade point average for admission into a masters programme.

Note: All practical work requirements for the BE (Hons) degree must be completed before a student can be admitted to a masters degree.

All returning students who are upgrading from the graduate diploma to a masters degree or from the MEngSt degree to the ME must apply to change their programme via Student Services Online.

International applicants with an approved qualification that is considered equivalent to the four-year BE (Hons) can also be considered for direct entry into our masters programmes.

English language requirements

If you are applying from international education provider and English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

Identify a research topic and supervisor

Research-based Engineering postgraduate programmes require an academic supervisor to oversee your study programme. The below tools can help you find a research project, identify a research topic, supervisor or area of interest before you submit your application:

FindAThesis - A searchable database where you can find masters and doctoral supervisors and research projects that you can join

Current research projects - View continuous research by our academics that can support the research requirements of your masters programme

Search for an academic - A database of all academics at the University that you can search for by first name and/or surname

Areas of expertise - View an indicative list of four cross-disciplinary research themes we are currently focussing on

If you can't find a research topic that you would like to pursue, please let us know what you would like to do and we will try and accommodate you.

Enrolment

Once you have accepted your offer of place into your programme, we'll tell you how to enrol in your courses. In some cases, the relevant department may need to approve enrolments, or the faculty may be responsible for your enrolment.

You can start to enrol in courses from the first Monday in November for the following academic year through Student Services Online.

The University of Auckland Calendar

The Calendar provides details of University regulations and programmes as well as general information about its staff, facilities and services.